Something is wrong with engines in realistic mode

[Santa Claus]

I keep getting random engine failure with no warning in multiple different aircraft. I'm not over stressing the engine or taking any damage. The engine just stops and the prop locks up. I can't restart the engine.

For example, I just had a Spitfire IX fail during a Normandy dynamic career mission after about 1/2 hour of flight. I am taking off to start the mission, keeping my boost under +7 (out of the red) and at +3 on average. The cooling is set to automatic on this plane but for this plane and all planes I'm not showing oil or water temps anywhere near overheating.

My "airscrew control" (Prop RPM) is at max and I always keep prop rpm set to max on all planes I fly. Do I need to back this off in realistic or something? My focus is always just on manifold pressure for engine performance.

Outside of a bug I don't know what is going on.

[-OrLoK- Слава Україн]

pull back on your rpms.

you need to use both throttle and rpm to keep your engine in "working temps"

maxing your rpms for any extended period on most, but not all, aircraft will size up the engine.

just below 75pc for both levers to cruise on most aircraft will see you right.

only max out on takeoff or in emergencies for most airframes.

[bycomet]

Also notice this in its technical specifications: "Note 4: climb rates are given for 2850 RPM and boost +12, turn times are given for 3000 RPM and boost +18."
This means putting RPM at maximum won't always provide you with best performance.

[Silky]

Sadly you can't push the engines like the pilots did during the war. All the aircraft are based on the manual to the T. Meaning if the manual says you should only push the engine for 5 minutes at a certain RPM, at exactly 5 minutes, the engine will die.

[LukeFF]

Originally posted by Silky:

Sadly you can't push the engines like the pilots did during the war. All the aircraft are based on the manual to the T. Meaning if the manual says you should only push the engine for 5 minutes at a certain RPM, at exactly 5 minutes, the engine will die.

That is not entirely correct - there is variance in how much time after exceeding the limit that the engine will fail.

[Shawn]

Originally posted by bycomet:

Also notice this in its technical specifications: "Note 4: climb rates are given for 2850 RPM and boost +12, turn times are given for 3000 RPM and boost +18."
This means putting RPM at maximum won't always provide you with best performance.

This.

Follow the recommended engine setting for the best performance. Hopefully OP knows that he can pull up the clipboard and take note of the engine settings.

[Santa Claus]

Originally posted by Shawn:

Originally posted by bycomet:

Also notice this in its technical specifications: "Note 4: climb rates are given for 2850 RPM and boost +12, turn times are given for 3000 RPM and boost +18."
This means putting RPM at maximum won't always provide you with best performance.

This.

Follow the recommended engine setting for the best performance. Hopefully OP knows that he can pull up the clipboard and take note of the engine settings.

OP doesn't know this. How?

[Shawn]

I believe the default key is 'O' to bring up the briefing map. The map has another tab that provides a briefing of the aircraft performance and details. Scroll through this briefing to find the engine settings other posters are referencing.

You might have to look through your configuration settings to make sure of the key mapping. I have mine mapped to a HOTAS button and haven't looked at it in ages.

In short, as has been said, by maxing RPM you are burning up the engine. I think you'll find your oil temp is going into the red and you have correctly diagnosed the symptom that the engine is, in fact, seizing. I haven't tested the maxed RPM in some time, so I could be wrong on oil temp, but I do know that pushing any engine to its stops will likely get you into trouble and I tend to avoid doing that.

IL2 expert mode offers many, many ways to wreck your aircraft without enemy intervention. Learning what the gauges are telling you about the condition of your engine and how to respond to them is part of the experience. The tutorials in the sticky post are a fantastic resource to learn what the gauges for each aircraft tell you.

Mastering this is very satisfying.

[-OrLoK- Слава Україн]

oh, don't forget there's a couple of "pilots notes" mods (available from the official forums) which replace the in cockpit sweetheart photo with a list of stuff to remember, including engine settings!